Blind Worship of Authority

I don't have many views that I would say are controversial. In fact I wouldn't say I have any beliefs that are disputable in terms of morality, but I do have some that I recognize could be misconstrued. In this entry I'm going to go over one of those views. Very recently I wrote an entry about my disdain for the worship of wealth, but that's not the only blind following that irks me. I also very much dislike the blind worship of power and authority. This is for a very clear reason; I don't believe simply having a badge makes you a hero. Just wielding power or authority doesn't make you virtuous by nature, but it seems some believe it does. I want to be as clear as I possibly can when I say that I'm generally supportive and respectful of the police, the military, and those in positions of authority, but I also want to be a straight shooter when I say that I don't believe that every single person in a position of power is good. I believe the morality of an individual in an authoritative role is determined by two primary factors: how they wield their power, as well as why they sought it in the first place. For example, many people join law enforcement for the right reasons, but that's not universal. Many become officers out of a feeling of duty to protect and serve their community as well as a passion for justice, but those aren't the only reasons people join the police force. If you don't believe that some people seek such positions largely because they just desire power, then I would call you naïve. Another example would be that many people join the military for the right reasons; patriotism, wanting to defend their country and everyone within it, as well as a desire to be a part of something bigger than themselves. As a son and grandson of veterans, I have immense respect for those who choose to serve, but I also recognize that there are less than desirable individuals within those same ranks. I'll never forget when the illusion that all US soldiers are good was shattered for me. A story broke out a while ago, and you may have heard it, that US Marines had been urinating on the bodies of terrorists, and while the incident appeared to be handled properly by the military (those involved were court martialed) the fact that it occurred in the first place snapped me into the reality that enlisted individuals are still fallible human beings who are capable of horrendous acts. Putting on those uniforms obviously didn't stop them from committing a war crime, which is a prominent reminder that a uniform does not equate to being moral in every single case. My final example is that of those in political power. I've said it so many times that what one does is not as significant as why they are doing it and that's especially applicable in the realm of politics. Many go into politics in order to better their communities, while some enter into roles of leadership in order to better themselves. The central point that I'm trying to make from all this, if you couldn't already gather, is that it's societally important to recognize authority, but it's not always right to blindly respect the individuals that hold that authority. This is very much dealing with the issue of respecting the office vs. respecting the man holding it, and it's irritating that so many people get those two things mixed up. I've harped on and on more than enough about the fact that not everyone in power is good, but how do you know who is in the right and who is in the wrong in terms of those in roles of leadership? The unfortunate answer is critical thinking and a willingness to look at things of this nature with a case by case mindset. Discerning who is wielding their authority correctly and who is abusing it requires analysis and an effort by the individual to cast aside the preconceived notion that power equates to morality. I understand that's a deeply ingrained notion, especially in this country that has such a long tradition of associating those in uniform with the United States itself, and uprooting it isn't a simple or easy task, but I believe that it's a necessary one. The blind worship and following of authority is a destructive tradition in our society and it's one that I firmly believe needs to end. People who join the police force, the military, or other public service positions take on an immense amount of responsibility and that is a responsibility to the communities that they serve, which is why I see it as indispensable that they be held accountable for their own actions instead of simply being allowed to do whatever they damn well please because so many people think that they are in the right just because they've got a badge. To reiterate, this is not a controversial view of mine, but I understand that it could be misinterpreted as indifference towards, and maybe even resentment of authority. I assure you this is not the case. I don't resent authority, I resent the abuse of authority. I don't resent the police, I resent those that would use their badges to push around their communities. I have never and will never disrespect the military in the general sense, but I will admit that I have no respect for those that would dawn a uniform and commit horrendous misdeeds, thus disgracing that very uniform and everything it's intended to represent. I will show civility and recognition towards politicians, but that ends the moment they use their position for anything besides serving the communities that put them where they are. The amount of influence you possess does not reflect your character, but rather it is what you do with that influence that is the true indicator of your values.